SYNOPSIS - Integrated Urban River Basin Management

Rivers have always played a very important role in Malaysia’s development as being a source for domestic, industrial and agricultural water supply, navigation, power generation, recreation and the environment. Rivers are often central to the identity of a place. Rivers also play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance and as a habitat for flora and fauna. Yet the relationship between the places we live, and the river is often not prioritized in the design and evolution of those places.

The rapid pace of development over the decades has brought about degradation of many of the country’s river systems. Water shortages, flooding and watercourse pollution are all signs of stress where developed areas have a troubled interaction with the natural water cycle and where, conversely, rivers have become a risk or a nuisance rather than an asset or an opportunity. The rivers are being silted up, river water quality has deteriorated, potable water shortages are more frequent, and the incidences of floods have become relatively common. This Talk presents examples of integrated urban river management towards having sustainable rivers in our cities.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Ir. C. Kamalesen graduated from Universiti Sains Malaysia in Civil Engineering, in 2000, and obtained a distinction for his MSc in Environmental Science (Integrated Water Resources Management) from Open University Malaysia in 2007. He is a subject matter expert in Integrated Water Resources Management with more than 19 years’ experience in Water Resources Management, Flood Management, Urban and Transport Infrastructure Drainage, and Agriculture Irrigation and Drainage.

Ir. C. Kamalesen is currently a Technical Director at AECOM Perunding Sdn Bhd. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Malaysia and an ASEAN Chartered Professional Engineer. He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia where he is also registered as ASEAN Engineer, APEC Engineer and International Professional Engineer. He is also registered as Qualified Person with the National Water Services Commission of Malaysia (SPAN). Ir. Kamalesen plays an active role in the Institution of Engineers through the Water Resources Technical Division where he is the Deputy Chairman, and the Malaysian Capacity Development Network in Sustainable Water Resources Management (MyCDNet) as its Honorary Treasurer. He is also an Associate of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM).